Led by James Harden’s Playoff career-high tying 45 points, the Philadelphia 76ers defeated the Boston Celtics in Game 1, 119-115. Tyrese Maxey added 26 points for the 76ers in the victory, while Jayson Tatum tallied 39 points, 11 rebounds, and 5 assists for the Celtics. The 76ers lead this best-of-seven series, 1-0, with Game 2 taking place on Wednesday, May 3 (8:00 p.m. ET, TNT).
Tonight marked James Harden’s 10th 40+ point Playoff game of his career, becoming the 11th player in NBA history with 10 or more such games:
Michael Jordan: 38 Games
LeBron James: 28 Games
Jerry West: 20 Games
Elgin Baylor: 14 Games
Kevin Durant: 14 Games
Wilt Chamberlain: 13 Games
Kobe Bryant: 13 Games
Shaquille O’Neal: 12 Games
Hakeem Olajuwon: 11 Games
Allen Iverson: 10 Games
James Harden: 10 Games
James Harden is the 5th player in 76ers franchise history to record 45+ points in a Playoff game, joining:
Allen Iverson (7 Games)
Lee Shaffer
Wilt Chamberlain
Billy Cunningham
Tonight’s victory is the 76ers’ first Game 1 victory in Boston since 1981
Jayson Tatum had his 5th career Playoff game of 30+ points, 10+ rebounds, and 5+ assists, passing Paul Pierce for the 3rd most such games in Celtics franchise history:
Larry Bird: 19
John Havlicek: 7
Jayson Tatum: 5
Paul Pierce: 4
Jayson Tatum had his 11th career Playoff game of 25+ points, 10+ rebounds, and 5+ assists, passing Bill Russell for the 3rd most such games in Celtics franchise history:
Larry Bird: 26
John Havlicek: 15
Jayson Tatum: 11
Bill Russell: 10
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46 Comments
Phillys guards smashed celts guards
These boys have learned nothing from the Finals last year. Marcus Smart is still a liability for them in the clutch. Tatum and Brown still don't close consistently. They played not to lose and still loss.
BIG FREE THROWS BY REED…KEY FREE THROWS. BIG PRESSURE
All what I saw here, how Celtics bricking open 3s
0:39 Jalen needs to watch more tape. 1 on 1 on the break vs Harden and he doenst attack the rim is silly. Everyone on this planet knows Harden dont play defence. Just attack him every single time
HARDEN
🙌
haha
Tatum was great in the first three quarters but once again kind of disappeared in the fourth quarter especially toward the end of the game. Why he gave the ball up to Malcom Brogdon who then turned the ball over? And the last position down by two, 115 to 117, again where is the leadership when you are the star player on the Celtics, why is Smart the one driving to the basket into a broken play? The inability to finish or take the shot on crucial plays down the stretch. It reminds me of last year in the finals against the Warriors. Whereas Paul Reed of the Sixers who?, stepped in for the injured Embiid, calmly made four clutch free throws in the final minute. Paul, who, Reed was more clutch than Tatum in finishing this game. lol.
One of the best games I have ever seen, and arguably one of the greatest performances by a Philly team, or any team, I've seen in forever, and WITHOUT the MVP at that. Harden with the game of his life, Maxxey was huge, playoffs, the 76ers, on the road, short-handed, without their best player, against a good Boston team that couldn't miss at first. Harden, down by 1, 8 seconds left, hits the shot of his career, WOW. This game was LIT. I tip my hat to Philly with this one here, gotta love the playoffs this year
Dont forget the harden is a MVP also! No Embid no problem! Harden doing the job 💪
Good, hate taytum
Fear the mighty Beard!
Don't worry Harden will disappear like he always does.
still won without embid…what about that???
Fear the Beard !!!
Offensive foul? wasn't looking at the referees action signalling blocking foul
Welcome back James Harden!
Nice game🎉🎉🎉🎉
vintage harden
Joel "EmirsonBiiderman" Embiid
We need to talk about the reffin though 😂😂😂Haha… LETS GO SIXERS!
If the refs weren’t smoking that stanking loud pack we cudda won by 20
That cold-blooded trey by Harden though. 🔥
Harden finally shows up in a BIG game!
Wow! Un-f'ing-expected!
Celtics was beaten by Paul Reed 😀
Brogdon needs his 6MOY stripped for that pass there at the end
This epic performance from Harden tonight was a throwback to those unforgettable times where he was playing with the Rockets and scored a lot of points, being very decisive for them in many games through their way.
No embiid no problem 😊
lmao houston harden is back, let's see if he is able to keep it up.
Reed was clutch at the end with the free throws!
Appreciate he’s much more practical and humble
Mazzulla getting EXPOSED
Celtics for sure will bounce back in Game 2.
Harden will struggle on Game 2.
Boston will adjust there defense.
Boston keep running the clock out and attempting a lot of 3 point shots.
Hawks stun celtics Game 5.
Now sixers stunning celtics game 1 at there home floor
Congrats 👏
Idk what's more impressive…….Harden playing defense at 0:12 or scoring 45 points
James Harden footwork is still insane, even though his first step aint what it once was he still know exactly how to get to his spots. He even was playing defense tonight 😂
can't believe the hand raise fake teammate to pass work in NBA
Dafuq is Reed?!? Clutch gene😂
Well done.
3:17 gotta love the National 2 1/2 step Association
Best commentator on TNT for me
Celtics are done.. they’re not going past Philly.. JB is going to leave next year..
People really forget harden was giving the warriors some serious trouble in Huston so this is no surprise he can deliver like this if needed